Summer Party Dressing 101

There are few summer moments more vexing than standing in front of a closet full of clothes on a steamy August afternoon, completely baffled as to how to dress for the fun, al fresco soiree that’s happening in less than an hour. It should be so simple, right? There’s neither fall’s mathematics—pants + sweater + blouse + jacket + scarf—nor winter’s puffer-coat fatigue. So why does putting together an ensemble that will be fun to wear and weather-appropriate feel akin to resolving the national debt-ceiling crisis?

Luckily, the pre-fall pieces in stores now offer plenty of options for summer parties. Bold colors are rampant—from Michael Kors’s electric blue to Balenciaga’s deep amethyst—and short, sleeveless items are sprinkled among heavier ones. Perhaps best of all, because these collections are designed with a look toward the utilitarian and subversively ladylike fall season, there’s not a lot of the unnecessary volume and shapelessness typically found in summer clothes. It’s an overall more sophisticated approach to keeping cool.

Take, for instance, the garden wedding, a staple midsummer social call if ever there was one. Long, loose, and bohemian might be the first thought that comes to mind, but why not try a slimmer-fit frock like Proenza Schouler’s long-sleeved dress? The Navajo pattern and asymmetrical hem keep it connected to the earth; the swirl cut and tailored silhouette give it a grown-up feel.

The same applies to an elegant dinner gathering on a particularly sweltering evening. Instinct dictates lightweight, unconstricted fabric, and Alexander Wang’s forest-green frock achieves that while the zipper and ruching add a sense of urban chic.

Try Derek Lam’s peony pink, high-necked number for a bridal shower—polished enough to mingle over tea with a circle skirt that keeps it from being too stiff—and, later, change into something more relaxed for late-night birthday drinks. Black leather would be the obvious solution, which only makes Rag & Bone’s slouchy ivory skirt and top all the more appealing. Pair it with flatform sandals now, worn-in ankle boots later, and then mix each component individually with sturdier pieces and party on until next spring.